Vehicle-wheel.



1N VEN TOR.-

2 SHBETS-SHBET 1.

ATTORNEY.

N. E. MERBDITH.

VEHICLE WHEEL.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 4, 1908.

Patented Jan. 19. 1909.

WI TNESSES:

N. E. MERBDTH.

VEHICLE WHEEL.

APPLICATION FILED APR.4,1908. I r l MGEQQ Patented Jan. 1.9, i909.

mi 4 WI TNES: IN1/'EN TOR.'

ATTORNEY.

NOAH E. MEREDIfrnOr INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA.

VEHICLE-WHEEL.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 1'9, 1909.

Application mea Apn'14, 190s. serial No. 425,114.

ring of the hub, and Fig. 9 a perspective a citizen of the United States, residing at Indianapolis, in the county of Marion and State of Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Vehicle- Wheels; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, reference being had to the accoml panying drawings, and to the figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification. l

This invention relates to wheels for road vehicles such as automobiles, wagons and carriages and has reference particularly to spring-cushion wheels of the type that are designed'to practically serve the purposes of Wheels having pneumatic tires.

The object of the invention primarily is to provide an improved wheel of the above mentioned character that vill be adapted to be constructed so as to e reliable in use and at reasonable cost of manufacture, and which may readily be repaired if necessary at relatively small expense, an object being to provide a durable and economical springcushion wheel, and particular-ly one that will not be liable to` stick fast in soft ground.

With the above mentioned and other Objects in view the invention consists in a spring-cushion wheel having a novel housing for the springs and comprising other improvements relating to the arrangements vof the springs; the invention consistingfurther in certain novel parts and combinations and arrangements of parts, as hereinafter particularly described and defined in the claims appended' hereto.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is an elevation of the inner side of the' improved Wheel; Fig. 2, a fragmentary sectional view on'the line A A- in Fig. 1; Fig. 3, a sectional view on the line B B in Fig. 1 and having portions in section on a dierent plane; Fig. 4, an elevation of the principal portions without the inner side plates and hub; ig. 5, a sectional view on the line C C in Fig. 3 with a number of the springs.

omitted; Fig. 6, a fragmentary sectional View on the plane of the line D in Fig. 4;

Fig. 7 an end elevation of one of the ele` ments to which springs are connected for preventing -rotation of the hub and the rim of wheel relatively in contrary directions; Fig. 8, a perspective view of the spring-seat view of'the hub and web thereof.

Similar reference characters throughout the different/figures of the drawings designate corresponding elements or features of construction. i

The improved wheel will be adapted yto be used on an axle 1 of any desired form of construction either tof-rotate on the axle or to be secured thereto as may be necessary, the Wheel comprising .a hub 2; having an integral web 3 on one end thereof and provided with braces Li extending from the outer side of the hub to the inner side of the web, and when necessary an axle-box 5 is inserted in the hub and adapted to rotateon the axle. The web has a plurality of threaded holes 6 therein near the hub, and the periphery of the web has a suitable number of notches 7 therein and also bolt-holes 8 near the periphery ,of the web. When the wheel is adapted to rotate O11 the axle the latter will be provided as usual with a nut 9. An' annular spring-seat ring 10 is provided that has threaded bolt-holes 11 therein and is secured to the web 3 by means of screws l2 having counter-sink heads 12 and are inserted through ,the holes 8. The ring has lany desired number of springseats 13 on the periphery thereof and the ring has also a flange 14Cl extending beyond the periphery thereof at the side of the ring opposite to that which is secured to. the web 3, lthe flange being designed to .form a substantial guide bearing. The periphery' of the ring is provided with a suitable number of devices whereby to connect springs to the ring, each device preferably .comprising two jaws 15 and 15 having each a bolt-hole 16 therein in whichis inserted a clamp-bolt 17, and also other similar but' longer jaws 1S and 18 having each a bolt-hole 19 therein, in which is inserted a clamp-bolt 20.

The front or outer side of the wheel comprises a disk 21 that has an integral wheelrim 22 thereon that is "somewhat larger in 'diameter than the ring 10 and extends around the ring, the disk '2l-being arranged slidingly against the fiange 14. The wheelrim preferably has a flange 23` extending from the side thereof that is connected to the disk 21 to adapt the wheel for holding a solid rubber or cushion tire 24 on the rim, and obviously when metallic tires are preferred the flange 23 .may be omitted The inner side of the vrim 22 has a suitable number of 'springseats 25 formed thereon and it alsogis provided with ears 26 having threaded 'bolt-'holes 27 therein. An 'annu-V lar housing-plate 28 is secured rigidly by bolts 29 to the inner side of the rim 22, the bolts being connected tothe ears 26. The plate extends'outwardly beyond the rim so as to practically form a flange 30 with re.- spect to the rim for assisting in holding the rubber-tireon the rim and permitting the tire to be conveniently removed and replaced 'by a new one when required. The plate bears slidingly against the outer side of the web 3,-and1 closes theQ space between the ring 10 and the rim 22 and prevents mud or foreign substances from entering the space', and the plate has an offset portion 31 that extends opposite tothe web 3 towards but not tothe axis of the hub, there being Van 'opening32 therein. An annular pack-.

ing-washer 33 composedof suitable material. is secured against the outer side of the web 3 by means-of screw-bolts 34v inserted'in the holesi, and the washer extends between the web and the o'set portion 31 of the plate 28, so that-the oset portion may slide against the washer, and preferably a metallic collar 35 is .placed between the .washer and the head of the bolts 34 so'as to firmly hold the washer -in place. Ehe washer preferably extends to the. axle 1.

The inner side of the rim 22 is provided with suitable devices for connecting springs to. the rim similar to `the jaws above de scribed and may be formed integrally therewith but preferably'c'omprise a plate 36that is secured by rivets 37 to the rim, the plate ythe rim, there beingfa suitable'number of the springs .distributed around the ring 10 and engaging the -seatsl13` and also in engagement withthe seats 25 of the rim, each sprlng vhaving a terminal projection 43at one end thereof that is inserted between the -Qjwsll and-15 and secured by the bolt 17,

,I the' opposite end of the spring having a terminal projection 43 inserted between two jaws 38 and 38 and secured by the bolt 39.

HSprings 44 have each a terminal end 45 in! ysert'ed between' two jaws -18 and 18 and Vsecured by a bolt 20, anda terminal end145. linsertedbetween two jaws 4() and 4.0 and adapted to compensate'for the lack of parallel -movementas between, the jaws 4of the Yring lO'and those-ofthe rim 22 when the rim approachesl or recedes from; ung 1n fpairs .of jaws 38 and 38 on the-l4 having clamp-bolts 39, and a derstood that the springs 44 may be Suthciently stijf so that but slight relative rotative movements can occur as between the rim and'the ring during operation` of the wheel; also, the springs 44 permit of vertical movements o f the axle or of the` wheel rim 'lwithout the vjaws of one part interfering with the jaws of the other part which form abutments against which the springs are seated. v

When desired the disk 21 1nay have a central opening 46 therein so that access may be had to the outer end of the wheel-hub or to the axle-nut, the opening being normally closed by a cap 47 that is attached by screws 48 to the outer plate 2l.

It is to be understood that the arrangement of the springs 44 is such that a number are arranged to exert force in one'direction and an vequal numberv are arranged so as to exert force in an opposite direction, and any desired number of springsobviously may be provided. i

In practical use the cushion-springs 42 permit the rim to slightly rise or fall with- 'out transmitting objectionable jars to the' axle when passing over uneven ground, while desirable frictional resistance of the sliding or telescopic housing portions ofthe wheel prevent over-sensitiveness of the spring action, resulting nsmooth and steady movements of therim with respect to the axle in verticaldirections.' The compensating-springs between thev abutments of the springseat ring and the rim permit a ytree action of the two principal parts relatively. one to the other through all points of the connections whereby the hub when secure revolution of the wheel, while-providing operation, or vice-versa; and it will be unto a driving axle can rotate the rim in order to propel the vehicle. It will be understood of course that the sliding surfaces of the .side parts of the wheel may be suitably lubricated and thatdust be excluded therefrom by the packing-ring.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed as new, is l, A wheel including a hub having a web thereon, a spring-seat ring extending about -the hub and attached at one side thereof to the inner side of the web, a disk having sliding contact with the oppositeA side of the ring and having also a wheel-rim thereon lthat surrounds the; ring, an nannular plate attached'to the rim opposite to the disk and having sliding engagement with the outer side of the' web, and springs tween. the ring and the rim.

2. A wheel including a hub havinga-web the 'hub and attached to the web, a disk hav- .ing sliding contact with the ring and having.

thereon, a spring-seatring extending about mounted bealso a wheelrim thereon'that surrounds the fine @annular-Liles @trashed .to them and having sliding engagement with the web, springs mounted between the ring and the rim, and means between the ring and the rim acting to yieldingly prevent rotative movements of the ring and rim relatively one to the other.

3. A wheel including a hub having a spring-seat ring connected rigidly therewith, a wheel-rim extending aboutI the ring and movable with respect thereto, cushionsprings' mounted between the ring and the rim, a housing' connected with the ring and the rim and therewith forming aninclosure for the springs, and means between the ring and the rim acting to yielding-l)r prevent rotative movements of the ring and rim rela tively one to the other.

et. At wheel including a hub having a web on an end thereof, a spring-seat ring extending about the hub and attached to the inner side of `the web, a disk having sliding con tact with the ring and extending near to the opposite end of the hub, a wheel-rim rigid on the disk and extending about the ring, springs seated against`the ring and the rim, a. packing washer bearing against the outer side of the web, and an annular plate atltached to the rim and having sliding Contact with the outer side of the web and also against the outer side of the washer.

5. A wheel including a hub having a web thereon, a spring-seat ring attached to the web and having pairs of jaws thereon, a disk having sliding contact with the ring, a wheel-rim rigid4 on the disk and extending about the ring and provided with pairs ot jaws on the` inner side thereof, springs seated against the ring and the rim and having each a terminal projection at one end thereoi' that is clamped between a pair ot' -iaws of the ring and a terminal projection at the opposite end thereot` that is clamped between a pair of' jaws of the rini, and an annular plate attached to the rim and having sliding contact with the web.

(3. A wheel including a hub having a web on one end thereof, braces extending from the hub to the web, lthe periphery of the web having notches therein, a spring-seatring att-ached at one side thereoil to the .inner side of the web, a disk having sliding contact with the opposite side of the ring, a rim rigid on the disk and extending about the ring and the periphery of the web, the inner lside of the riin having ears thereon opposite to the notches, springs seated on the ring and against the rim, an annular plate engaging the rim and having sliding Contact with the outer side of the web, and bolts extending tlnongh the plate and into the ears and securing the plate to the rim.

T. A wheel including a hub having a web thereon, a spring-seat ring attachedl t0 the web and having abutments on the periphery thereof, a disk having sliding contact with the. ring, a rim rigid on the disk and extending about the-ring and provided with abutments on the inner side thereof, springs seated against the ring and the rim, an annnlar plate attached to the rim and having sliding contact with the outer side of the web, and a plurality ot' springs arranged between the abutments of the ring and the rim and connected thereto, some of the springs acting in one direction and the remaining springsacting in the opposite direction.

8. A wheel comprisinga hub, a web on one end of the hub, braces extending from the hubvto the web, a spring-seat ring attached at one side thereof to the inner side ol the web and having a liange on the opposite side thereof, a disk in sliding contact with the flange and having a central opening therein near the opposite end oi the hub, a cap attached to the disk and closing the opening, a rim rigid on the disk and extends ing about the ring, springs seated against the ring and the rim, and an annular ,plate attached rigidly to the rim and having sliding contact with the outer side oi." the web.

In testimony whereof, I atiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

NOAH E. MEREDITH.

Witnesses ADoLrir EMHARDT, J'onN Emnannr. 

